I can't think of a softball game that I didn't see Ray attend.  Not only was he there to cheer us on but he was there with his video camera to capture all our wonderful, fun moments.  Of all the dads that would come to our games, Ray was the most supportive, positive, easy going, and loving.  When we weren't playing on the field, Ray would always play catch with us and spend time doing all the fun, sport activities that other dads never made for time.  He was at everything, Becky's awards nights, afterschool activities, you name it, he was there with a smile.

And that was Ray...always making time for the people he loved the most.  Always showing up with a smile, looking tan and sporty.  He was my favorite "dad" growing up and he taught me about sports, how to drive and how to have fun.  His jokes kept us on our toes.

Ray always made me feel like a part of the family.  There wasn't a house I enjoyed spending more time at than at the St. Michel's.  The best food, the best company, the kindest family and by far the most fun.

Love ya Ray!  You are missed every day...

I've been to many plays with my Grandpa and Grandma, but the tribute to the Beatles that we saw at the Pantages Theater was by far my favorite. I remember singing along to almost every song with them, and when I didn't know one it was really neat to see my grandparents singing along. At the end of the show they played Hey Jude and we stood up to dance to the song, and they had a huge screen by the stage which then I saw us on the screen dancing. I remember just seeing that and thinking what an amazing time I was having, and I was able to share that with them. This is a memory I will always and forever cherish.

Grandpa, Grandma, Brianna, and I were all going on a trip to Aqua Caliente. We all were just talking in the car, and playing music. Then we played the Beatles while driving. We were playing Here Comes The Sun. Grandpa and I were singing it together. I will always remember it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj1AesMfIf8

We also were flying to Las Vegas on a plane. I sat with Grandpa for the flight. We got blue chips, and a nice lady gave us gum to help. We made jokes about people on the plane of course, we had fun on the flight. He will always be my plane partner no matter what

When I was less than a year old, my father was babysitting me and decided to change my diaper.  Back then they only had cloth diapers with pins.  By accident, he pushed the pin through the outer layer of my skin and didn't realize it.  I was screaming for a while and he couldn't figure out why.  When he realized it, he felt so bad but loved to tell people about that story.  He was quite a character, and a very funny man.  He loved his family more than life and would do anything for us.  We all miss him so much, and there is not a day that goes by that we don't think of him.  He now gives us a lot of signs that he is still around, and we have even caught him on camera.  Only my father would be this strong of a spirit, and would never leave us completely.  I love you dad, and I know we will be reunited again one day.  Please continue to make the angels laugh in Heaven!

Ray and Olivia teamed up every time we met in Las Vegas dispite protests from Norma and me. Several times we got suckered into sitting through presentations to buy into a timeshare condo. It wasn't so bad when we had presentations without Ray in the group. But when we were stuck with Ray he would egg the presenter on making it seem like he ws really interested in buying. Of course there was no way they would buy. The silver lining was we got some sort of "reward" for sitting through the hours of listening and being carted all over Vegas to see the condos.

Ray also egged Olivia on when she came up with her crazy adventures in Vegas. The first year Olivia HAD to have Jack-in-the-Box. The only problem was the nearest one was at the end of the strip, it was ten o'clock at night and the bus didn't run that far. But Olivia, with encouragement from Ray and groans from Norma and me, set out for Jack-in-the-Box. And of course as usual, Olivia was able to convince the Bus drive to let us off close to Jack-in-the-Box.

It was great that even though I met Norma and Ray for the first time in 2003, they immediately accepted me as part of the group. Ray has a unique vision of the world that is refreshing and even entertaining at times.

Miss you Ray. Thanks for being such a great friend. Vegas will never be the same without you.